LABOR TO BEEF UP WILD DOG FENCING IN WESTERN QUEENSLAND

A Shorten Labor Government will beef up protection for the sheep and wool industry by expanding wild dog fencing in Western Queensland.

It is critical we protect our graziers, the backbone of Queensland, from the threat wild dogs pose to their livelihoods.

That is why a Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million to expand wild dog fencing across Western Queensland.

This funding matches the Palaszczuk Government’s additional $5 million funding to bring sheep back to the west announced last month.

Labor is the only party that will help our resilient farmers in Western Queensland protect and replenish stock numbers that have been in decline because of severe drought and wild dogs.

Queensland graziers are well aware both the former State and current Federal Liberal-National Governments have not done enough to combat this plague.

“This funding will ensure the success of the much larger wild dog control program with the ultimate goal of returning sheep in big numbers into Western Queensland which will be good for farmers and good for sustainable agriculture productivity”, said Joel Fitzgibbon.

The extra funding will benefit local contractors in the west, particularly fencing contractors and agricultural supply companies.

“The Boyne region has suffered great losses in productivity due to the devastation caused by wild dogs”, said Zac Beers.

Labor is committed to growing our rural and regional communities by ensuring that the Wild Dogs Action Plan is properly funded and quickly implemented.

WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE 2016

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

JOEL FITZGIBBON MPSHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE,FISHERIES AND FORESTRYSHADOW MINISTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRSSPOKESPERSON FOR COUNTRY CAUCUSMEMBER FOR HUNTER